How to find gold

A simple guide that explains how to find gold as a prospector

For the beginning prospector, locating gold can be the difficult part. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques that make the process of finding placer deposits much easier. To understand what makes these techniques work, you need a basic understanding of the physics which serve to create the placer deposits you seek.

Placer deposits are created by the movement of water. Fast running streams have the ability to pick up small pieces of gold and carry the material for short distances before the weight of the material causes it to settle out of the solution as the water hits obstructions and slows down. Most often, when the gold settles out of the stream in this manner, it accumulates in a small area forming a placer deposit.

When a prospector is searching for placer deposits of gold, the most common method is to look for large obstacles that would impede the movement of water. These obstacles can include large rocks or boulders, man-made obstructions, sand bars and sudden bends in streams. One should search for placer deposits on the upstream side of the obstructions. In many cases, such as the historical Klondike Gold Rush, prospectors have found large accumulations of gold in this manner.